In the fifth and final T20I at Hagley Oval, New Zealand (NZ) is set to face Pakistan (PAK) on Sunday. With an unbeatable 4-0 lead in the series, New Zealand, led by interim captain Mitchell Santner, aims for a whitewash after a strong performance in the previous match at the same venue. Santner looks to maintain the winning momentum in the series finale.

On the flip side, Pakistan faces the contest with a series of defeats, having lost four consecutive matches. Batting concerns involving Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, and Iftikhar Ahmed have left the team grappling with low confidence. New Zealand, with an insurmountable series lead, triumphed in the initial matches by 46 runs, 21 runs, 45 runs, and seven wickets, respectively. As Sunday approaches, the spotlight remains on whether Pakistan can salvage some pride or if New Zealand will culminate the series with a perfect 5-0 victory.

NZ vs PAK Match Details :

Teams: New Zealand vs Pakistan

Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Date & Time: January 21, 05:30 AM

Live Broadcast: Amazon Prime app and website

Hagley Oval Pitch Report and Conditions

The pitch for the upcoming encounter is expected to favor fast bowlers, especially with the new ball. Sunday’s weather forecast includes robust winds and rain. Winning the toss becomes crucial for both teams, with the preferred strategy being to bowl first and limit the opposition to a score below 165. Notably, the recent match at Hagley Oval showed success for the chasing team.

NZ vs PAK Predicted Playing XI

New Zealand (NZ):

Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (WK), Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (C), Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Tim Southee/Ben Sears, Lockie Ferguson.

Pakistan (PAK):

Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (C), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan.

NZ vs PAK Probable Best Performers

Probable Best Batter: Mohammad Rizwan

In the fourth T20I, Mohammad Rizwan showcased his batting prowess with a remarkable innings of 90 not out from 63 deliveries, including six fours and two sixes. His return to form is significant, particularly with Babar Azam adjusting his batting position. Rizwan’s consistent peak performance is a positive sign for Pakistan, and the team anticipates him replicating his success in the upcoming 5th T20I.

Probable Best Bowler: Matt Henry

In the fourth T20I, Pakistan faced the challenge of batting first in the series. However, Matt Henry quickly disrupted their plans by dismissing Saim Ayub, who edged to first slip. Mitchell, with a straightforward catch on the second attempt, secured the early breakthrough. Henry continued his impact by later dismissing Iftikhar Ahmed, thwarting any potential late onslaught by Pakistan. His crucial contributions played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s ability to control the game.

NZ VS PAK BETTING TIPS

While we believe New Zealand is the stronger team in this contest and have consistently recommended betting on them throughout the series, the unpredictable nature of Pakistan suggests considering hedging your bets. Utilize in-play betting wisely and avoid going all-in on New Zealand in this match, given the unpredictable factor associated with Pakistan.